Archit Watts
Tribune News Service
Muktsar, October 6
Government school heads in Muktsar have urged Education Department officials to release cooking cost for the mid-day meal being served to students from Class I-VIII or they would not be able to continue the practice from next week.
The school heads have reportedly not received the cooking cost for the past two months and as per rules, it has to be provided in advance.
The schools get wheat and rice from the government, but have to buy pulses, grocery, etc. on their own. The government has fixed cooking cost for this purpose at Rs 4.97 per student per day.
A government school teacher said: “We have given our representation to senior officers in the department, saying that if the cooking cost is not given by October 10, we will not be able to serve mid-day meal any further. We have already paid money from our pockets for August and September.”
He said the mid-day meal of a school costs around Rs 20,000-Rs 25,000 per month.
Sukhdarshan Singh Bedi, Deputy District Education Officer, Muktsar, said: “We have sought funds from the head office. The situation is same across the state. We are hopeful that the cooking cost will be released soon.”
Cooking cost may be released soon
We have sought funds from the head office. The situation is same across the state. We are hopeful that the cooking cost will be released soon. — Sukhdarshan Singh Bedi, Deputy District Education Officer
No funds, Muktsar schools threaten to stop mid-day meal
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